Member Spotlight: Michael Castleman

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I’ve always loved to write. I was the weird kid who thought term papers were the best part of school. I flirted with a few other occupations, but always returned to writing. In my late 20s, I earned a masters in journalism. Ever since, I’ve combined short-form journalism about health and sexuality with long-form book writing in the same areas, and a few others. I consider books the foundation of culture.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Do dancers suffer dancer’s block? Musicians music block? Artists painting block? Writing seems to be the only art form where some practitioners just can’t seem to produce. In my view, writer’s block is a form of perfectionism. Those who feel blocked want it to be perfect the first time, but it never is, so they decide they can’t write. In my view, what we do should not be called “writing,” but REWRITING. I’ve never been blocked. I just keep plugging away, trying different approaches. My advice to those who say they’re blocked: If you’re not writing, you’re not a writer. Dive in, try something, try something else, keep on keeping on until you feel satisfied.

What is your favorite time to write? I’m a morning writer and an afternoon reviser. But that’s just me. Writers must figure out their own schedules for themselves.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Once I submitted a book manuscript that was 20,000 words longer than the contracted limit. I thought every word was essential. My editor said: “There are million ways to say anything. Choose shorter ways.” I did. I cut that book 25,000 words, and felt it was an improvement.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I’m excited to keep doing it. I started in my 20s. I’m now 74, so a half-century as a writer. I’d love to keep writing for another 20 years.

Michael Castleman’s The Untold Story of Books: A Writer’s History of Publishing is out now with Unnamed Press.